This I Know: Limitless

Okay, so, this might age me... but I remember my mother making me sit down and watch the news when I was a very young girl (like, very young-a baby, even!).  A man had just stepped foot on the moon. A man on the moon!  How impossible... and so science-fiction-ish to my parents. 

So started my fascination with our space program. If you think about it, 40 years later, it still inspires awe... what else can we say does that? We took an idea, and without limitations, asked a group of people to make something happen. These men and women problem-solved every aspect, they jumped every hurdle, climbed every mountain, bridged every gap and found. a. solution. That alone is inspiring.

Today, it seems, we think inside boxes. And far too often, we teach our children in this manner. In business and in science, there are limitations always.... maybe it's money, maybe politics... maybe something else. The solutions to problems are difficult to find... How long have we been trying to find a cure for cancer? Diabetes? Spinal Cord injuries? Hunger? The solutions to these problems are there... we just have to think outside the box.  Think of the possibilities, rather than the impossibilities. If we can find a way to push human life off the earth, set it on a specific path, and bring it home alive, what can't we do? 

And I think, how incredible it would be if I could teach my children this thing: think without limits... live without limits... love without limits... dream without limits... What could they do? What problems would they solve? What diseases could they cure? What mountains could they conquer? What dreams would they accomplish? How happy could they be?

This I know: to truly live to the fullest, we must abandon the idea of limits. 

Hope Is The Thing With Feathers

Stretching

Ever have one of those moments where you are stretched?

Not molded, which is to be pushed and shaped and formed by something... an experience... a person... This is different. This is from within.

I've placed myself in a position that is forcing me to stretch. I could step out of it (it would be so much easier), but I won't. I will stay put and reach to become the person who can handle this. I'm not really comfortable, but that's okay, because I am reaching and changing and in the end, I know it will make me better.

I will continue to bend toward the light, reaching forth to make the right choices, no matter how hard, so that my petals might open and drink in the warmth of knowing that I've done right. Stretching is hard... it's uncomfortable and sometimes hurts.

You get to a point where you just want to stop, to recoil, to nurture the pain.

But growth doesn't occur with recoil; it happens with stretch. So I will gladly stay here, and reach for my toes, or reach for the sun, or both.

Sunday

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that

has been given to you....

May you be content knowing you are a child of God....

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

That Time of Year Again

On Tri-ing To Be More

I'm not really sure what it is. My husband is lovingly calling it MLC (affectionately, mid-life crisis). It's been a rough year, as the school calendar runs. I'm not really comfortable in my own skin anymore. I'm wanting more in everything.

My body is showing signs of age, but my heart is still blossoming, still growing, still beating like a young school-girl's. And so, it only makes sense, that when I saw this post, I felt a little jolt - my heart skipped a little beat. I wasn't sure what it was, so I went back repeatedly, just looking at the picture and the title: Girl Power. Girl Power!

Remember the joys you felt as a child? A thought crossed your mind, you felt an impulse - and you just did it. You didn't contemplate it; you didn't weigh it out and wonder how it would fit in your life. You didn't "wait and see". You didn't consult anybody. You certainly didn't do it because there was laundry to do, or dinner to make, or a house to clean. You didn't even consider IF you could do it ... you just did it...

... and so I did.

And even though it was humbling to advertise my age on my calves, it was empowering, too. Yeah, I'm old. I'm even older than my calves say because the young chickies asked how old I was by last December. And I've had a birthday since then. Still, I was out there, with my 'tri-ing moms' friends, in the rain, and for the first time, attemping a sprint triathlon. I didn't train. I didn't hesitate because I was afraid. I didn't weigh how I would fit it all in. I didn't consider that I might not finish. I just did it. And I'm glad for it. I'm glad for how strong it made me feel.

So, when the 11 year old girl skipped past me, I cheered her on, "You Go, Girl!" 

And then when I skipped past the 34 year old buff guy, I silently cheered me on, "You Go, Girl! ...

...Blossom everywhere - in everything!"

Sunday

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Ephesians 6:10

hsssssss...

"Ummm... Miss Patty?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Is there supposed to be a snake loose in the house?"

"No... why would you ask that?"

"Ummm... because there is?"

So we tramp up the stairs to meet Mr. Snake at the top, all coiled up and hissin'... I was sssstill very much in control. After all, this is Mr. Friendly ssssnake, the one Austin has caught twice now and we've fostered for a few days, and who apparently, got hisssself loose. But then, Sweet Playful Dog finds her way upstairs, all jumping and happy and seemingly assssking, "What's going on? What's going on? Can I play? Can I play?" The ssssnake freaks out and takes off all sliding and gross YUCK, and slithering DOWN my stairs! It moved ssssoooo quickly. J-man, laughing hisssssssterically, is saying, "I've got it, mom!" when clearly, he. did. not. Eventually, he did catch it by it'ssss tail, and let the little thing wrap itssssself around his arm. Ssssssilly boy, putting it up to my face and ssssaying,

 "Moooom, " (ya know, like he'ssss all annoyed at moi), "it's just the ssssnake that's been missssing for four days." 

"FOUR DAYSsss?! 

In MY HOUSsssE?!" 

"We didn't want to tell you because we thought you might freak out."

Oh, really.... what makesssss you think THAT?

love thursday

Dandelions

Artist: Five Iron Frenzy

Album: other songs

in a field of yellow flowers

underneath the sun

bluest eyes that spark with lightning

boy with shoes undone

he is young, so full of hope

reveling in tiny dreams

filling up his arms with flowers

right for giving any queen

running to her,beaming bright

while cradling his prize

a flickering of yellow light

within his mother's eyes

she holds them to her heart

keeping them where they'll be safe

clasped within her very marrow

dandilions in a vase

she sees love where anyone else would see weeds

all hope is found, here is everything he needs

Not So Wordless Wordless Wednesday

I was so completely stressed out because it is Wordless Wednesday and, well, I seem to have a lot I want to say! There's all sorts of sTuFf, like tHis and ThAt, but because it was a wonderful weekend, and I have all these random thoughts running through what's left of my brain cells, I thought I would just spew here. And so, I decided it doesn't have to be wordless Wednesday if I don't want it to be. Hope you don't mind. Actually, it could be fun.

First, of course, it was Easter, so we needed to prepare. Poor sweet thing, she was the only one interested. (Even if the "big boys" had agreed to help dye eggs, do you think they'd let me show you pictures here?) 

So we boiled 18 eggs, 6 for each of them to decorate. She did all 18. Her creativity was impressive, and her images, telling... I think, even at 10, she's still a believer. 

Then, Saturday, I became a mom of two teenagers... as if being mom to one wasn't hurting my self-esteem enough.

He's really oh-so handsome, and his hair is beautiful but maybe a little too long and easy to hide behind, and someone that handsome shouldn't hide behind his hair. Even if he is 13.

He chose Texas Roadhouse for his birthday dinner, one of my personal favorites for some attachment reasons (really, we'll save that for another post), and I was so excited because we could have some of this...

... and I could have some of this...

and we all could have some peanuts.

But, being a Saturday night, even at 5:30, there was a long line.

So we walked to WalMart. (I've told you how much I love -gag- WalMart?)

She played with this...

... and this.

He played with this.

And he tried that, too.

And because I saw this post, entitled "Girl Power" (and just who wouldn't read a post with that title?), and because I actually told him that I was contemplating competing in a triathlon (we'll save that for another post, too), he bought me a bike helmet. Ya know, to protect my pretty little head. I guess that commits me to the triathlon, right? (Did I ever tell you about the time I said to him that I might like to go to medical school and he went out and bought me all this first year equipment, like a stethescope, and that ear-flashlight thingy? He's supportive like that.)

And then our flashing pager thing went off, so we made our way back to the restaurant, 

where we loved on each other a  little.

Because we're like that.

And while I sipped on mine (see above), they sipped on theirs.

And my newly 13 year old let his dad take our picture. This was the best he could do, but I am patient with him, and you get the idea, right?

The newly 13 year old also tolerated being sung to by all the servers in the restaurant, I think just so he could get this...

Even though he knew he had this waiting at home, because we always have the expected surprise ice cream birthday cake on birthdays in our family.

Happy Birthday, Austin.

About Mother's Day

Ya know, I'm not the most organized or planned person. I get into trouble a lot that way! Like, I wake up and think, "Oh shoot! It's mother's day and I didn't send anything!" Well, I've resolved to fix this this year... I'm thinking about planning for Mother's Day, which also happens to be very near to my father's 70th birthday. Here are two thoughtful things you can do to honor a mom close to your heart:

Write a letter; buy a mosquito net and maybe save a child from malaria. Go here to find out more: Mother Letter

Mom likes jewlery? Check out these pretty pieces... customized, too:

A Soft Place To Land

Go visit both and let me know what you think!

JoY

Let there be more spontaneous joy in the world!

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

Happy Monday!

Easter Sunday

He is Risen

"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

John 3:15-17

On Baseball and Life

J-man pitching, his current coach watching.

We believe kids learn life lessons in sports. These are some of the things my husband would say to the boys when coaching. Each, if you think about it, can be applied to life.

1. Winning isn't everything, but it's something. And someone has to win. Why not let it be you?

2. Work hard, play hard.

3. We're all part of the team. When we win, we all win. When we loose, we all loose.

4. Believe in yourself.

5. Trust your team; if 1 goes down, 8 pick him up.

6. Bring it!

7. Preparation is everything.

8. When the door of opportunity opens, be ready.

9. On the first strike: well, that just wasn't your ball. On the second strike: dig deep-focus. On the subsequent hit: good players make it happen.

10. Don't just finish, finish strong.

11. Don't just look near the ball; look AT the ball.

12. We'd rather loose on the field, than win by forfeit.

(and my husband's personal favorite, for the coaches:)

13. Always pick the players with the hottest moms.

fuNnY fAcEs :)

I've linked on with Amber at RunaMuck, and am posting my favorite (and permissible!) funny faces photos! 

These are my 3 favorite funny face babies, posing for holiday shots, (and yes, I chose this one for our holiday greetings!! )

This is my favorite funny face puppy-isn't she beaUtiful?

And this is my favorite funny face shot. Don'tcha love it? Last day of school pool-side celebration. The cucumbers were from the veggies and dip.  :)

hApPy fRiDaY!

Just in time to do something loving and special for Easter, a little thing for us, a huge thing for a child. Check this out:

where are you going?

Sunday

"Where can I go from your Spirit?


Where can I flee from your presence?


If I go up to the heavens, you are there;


If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.


If I rise on the wings of the dawn,


If I settle on the far side of the sea,


even there your hand will guide me,


your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me


and the light become night around me,”


even the darkness will not be dark to you;


the night will shine like the day,


for darkness is as light to you."

                                                                                                    Psalm 139:7-12